Phong Nha to Dong Hoi

Tuesday November 14, 2017, 27 miles (43 km) - Total so far: 1,823 miles

(2,934 km)

Nice, easy ride today, through scenery that was somewhat reminiscent of Scotland, and not only because of the drizzle! The HCM highway was very quiet

• so different to the truck-traffic we'd experienced further north.

Dong Hoi is a lovely spot, although bigger than we'd realised (hence a fair bit of traffic as we rode in, but it was fine). The riverside with palm trees and fishing boats is particularly scenic, as are the tree-lined backstreets. We're staying at the Nam Long hotel which is excellent - the owners even let us use the showers and chill out in the dorm while we waited for a double room to be vacated. There's a garage for bike, and a hose for washing them!

We had lunch at Treehugger cafe and dinner at 7th Heaven - both absolutely set up for Westerners but both very pleasant indeed.